Abstract
The mechanism of direct impact of Trichoderma fungi on other organisms is a multilayer process. The level of limiting the growth of other microorganisms is determined by the strain and often by the environment. Confirmation of the presence of extracellular biosurfactants in certain strains of Trichoderma considered as biocontrol agents was regarded as a crucial topic complementing the characterization of their interactive mechanisms. Selected strains of T. citrinoviride were cultured in media stimulating biosurfactant biosynthesis, optionally supplemented with lytic enzyme inducers. Results confirmed the anti-fungal properties of surface-active compounds in the tested culture fluids. Preparations that displayed high fungal growth inhibition presented marginal enzymatic activities of both chitinases and laminarinases, implying the inhibitory role of biosurfactants. Fractions from the foam of the culture fluid of the C1 strain, cultured on Saunders medium, and HL strain on MGP medium, without an additional carbon source, exhibited the most prominent ability to inhibit the growth of phytopathogens. Filamentous fungi capable of producing fungicidal compounds, including surfactants, may find applications in protecting the plants against agri-food pathogenic molds.
Highlights
In recent years, plant protection has become the dominant field for biological control
The ability of biological control over microorganisms is attributed to the competition for nutrients or the biosynthesis of lytic enzymes (Piegza et al, 2014) and to other compounds secreted into the medium, including those of a biosurfactant nature (Banat et al, 2000)
T. citrinoviride: Anti-Fungal Biosurfactants research on the directional use in the protection of plants against pathogens for many years. The beginning of this type of experiments dates back to the 1980s, and the results indicated the antagonistic behavior of T. hamatum in relation to other species of filamentous fungi (Chet et al, 1981)
Summary
Plant protection has become the dominant field for biological control. The application of living organisms as pesticides has become a vital alternative to the standard use of their chemical equivalents. The use of traditional pesticides tends to be severely limited due to numerous undesirable effects on human health and the environment (Thomas and Willis, 1998). Some of the microorganisms inhabiting the soil, in particular the rhizosphere, displayed the ability to control the expansion of plant pathogens (Sjingh et al, 2007). The ability of biological control over microorganisms is attributed to the competition for nutrients or the biosynthesis of lytic enzymes (Piegza et al, 2014) and to other compounds secreted into the medium, including those of a biosurfactant nature (Banat et al, 2000)
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